Preston Pub Sign Study Lane Ends

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A large pub dating from 1852, and located at an important crossroads. The sign points out to four destinations, Blackpool, Leyland, Lancaster and Preston reminding us that Lane Ends are also beginnings if you start your journey from them. The way-pointers each point in the right direction so this is a rare three dimensional sign. Pubs were once so common in the towns and cities that they were important and perfect navigation and direction aid landmarks. You would tell someone, ‘go right at the Royal Oak, left at The Fox and the place you want is right by the Lane Ends’. With so many pubs gone now, we have to use sat-nav instead. The pub has extensive cellar space. Boddington’s Brewery, then based in Manchester, realized that Preston was not hit as badly as Manchester in the Blitz and sent many of its sacks of hops and yeast for storing at Lane Ends until the war was over. The pub delights in its colourful eccentric customers as seen over the years including local funeral director Harry Whalley who used to take measurements and notes of customer’s sizes so he could be ready for them when they became his customers. Arthur Chappell